Any New Englanders relocate to Southern Alabama (Birmingham, Mobile: real estate, military)

[Valnf]

HI,

I was wondering if anyone from New England has moved to Southern Alabama and how do you like it.

[seekinghome]

Originally Posted by Valnf

HI,

I was wondering if anyone from New England has moved to Southern Alabama and how do you like it.

While not a native New Englander, I lived there from 1999 to 2005 and just recently moved to Hoover which is near Birmingham. So far I love it. Almost anyplace that I don't have snow will please me. The people of AL have been very welcoming, helpful and quite nice. The area is beautiful and the weather is lovely so far. I know the heat will be something to get used to but I would have to say that I really like AL so far. Birmingham has just about everything you could want as far as amenities go. The city is a good size, large enough without having total gridlock (like Atlanta). How about you? Are you moving or just thinking about it? What area? Good Luck.

[Southlander]

What do you mean by "south Alabama?" Are you looking for urban or rural? There are HUGE differences between north and south Alabama, which is roughly defined by an imaginary line east-west just below Birmingham.

[Valnf]

I am talking about Baldwin County close to Mobile and Fla

[Southlander]

That helps!
If you don't get a reply here (we don't have very many Mobile-area folks), you might try www.al.com's (broken link) regional forums.

[chj]

hi. I have always lived in atmore, al which is about 5 minutes from baldwin co. but I have a cousin who is from boston and he visits every year and the only thing he does not like about the area is the heat.

[Utopian]

Living in the Midwest (Chicago area) for 20+ years (and raised on an Illinois farm 20 before that), I've been happily surprised by Baldwin County. I live in Fairhope, a few blocks from the center of downtown (Fairhope Avenue and Section Street) and have found it a fabulous place to live. Each year has brought new positive developments (library, piers/parks, new tennis courts, fresh changes to downtown).

Except for the lack of severe winters, I would compare it to a New England or Midwestern lakefront or bayfront town.

Hope you find happiness here, like my husband and I did!!!

We wish you all the best in the new year.

[Valnf]

Originally Posted by Utopian

Living in the Midwest (Chicago area) for 20+ years (and raised on an Illinois farm 20 before that), I've been happily surprised by Baldwin County. I live in Fairhope, a few blocks from the center of downtown (Fairhope Avenue and Section Street) and have found it a fabulous place to live. Each year has brought new positive developments (library, piers/parks, new tennis courts, fresh changes to downtown).

Except for the lack of severe winters, I would compare it to a New England or Midwestern lakefront or bayfront town.

Hope you find happiness here, like my husband and I did!!!

We wish you all the best in the new year.

Are there some nice parks to excersize and bike ride. I am thinking about Spanish Fort or Daphne area because it is close to the highway.

[takeflight]

...and I can't say that I'm thrilled to be here.

My husband is in the Army and was transferred down to Mobile in July. We live in Daphne, which is about 20 minutes or so east of Mobile.

Good things about the area:
--houses are cheap. As you know, real estate prices in New England are astronomical. We bought a house for $170K that probably would have gone for $600K back home (10 min. west of Boston).

--Daphne/Spanish Fort/Fairhope are all nice towns. Daphne was more affordable for us than the other towns. There are places to jog-- lots of subdivisions with quiet streets-- and Daphne has a dog park which is a great idea.

--the redneck population is substantially less than other parts of Baldwin County. I work in Summerdale, only about 1/2 hour away, and really do not enjoy the people there.

We are only going to be here for 3-4 years, so it's not so bad. I personally do not like the slow pace of the south, but many people from New England do. I have a hard time with people's blatant racism and homophobia down here (not as evident in Daphne but very evident in other areas). I tend to be a very blunt (not rude!!) and opinionated person, as I think a lot of people from New England are, and many people here are taken aback by it.

I realize that Alabama is simply not the place for me. When we leave here, I'll probably never come back. I know many people from up north who love it here-- they love that it's not ever hectic, no snow, etc. so maybe you will love it too. It's not the worst place to live by far-- just not for me.

Please feel free to PM me-- I would LOVE to talk to someone else from back home.

Oh yeah, and go Pats :-)

[Valnf]

Originally Posted by takeflight

...and I can't say that I'm thrilled to be here.

My husband is in the Army and was transferred down to Mobile in July. We live in Daphne, which is about 20 minutes or so east of Mobile.

Good things about the area:
--houses are cheap. As you know, real estate prices in New England are astronomical. We bought a house for $170K that probably would have gone for $600K back home (10 min. west of Boston).

--Daphne/Spanish Fort/Fairhope are all nice towns. Daphne was more affordable for us than the other towns. There are places to jog-- lots of subdivisions with quiet streets-- and Daphne has a dog park which is a great idea.

--the redneck population is substantially less than other parts of Baldwin County. I work in Summerdale, only about 1/2 hour away, and really do not enjoy the people there.

We are only going to be here for 3-4 years, so it's not so bad. I personally do not like the slow pace of the south, but many people from New England do. I have a hard time with people's blatant racism and homophobia down here (not as evident in Daphne but very evident in other areas). I tend to be a very blunt (not rude!!) and opinionated person, as I think a lot of people from New England are, and many people here are taken aback by it.

I realize that Alabama is simply not the place for me. When we leave here, I'll probably never come back. I know many people from up north who love it here-- they love that it's not ever hectic, no snow, etc. so maybe you will love it too. It's not the worst place to live by far-- just not for me.

Please feel free to PM me-- I would LOVE to talk to someone else from back home.

Oh yeah, and go Pats :-)

What is nice about the military you get to see different areas and if you don't like them you can leave. My husband has a job and he likes it down there. What do you hear about Pensacola area? I maybe able to get a job in Florida so that is what we are desiding. We really wanted to live on the Florida side but after I saw the Spanish Fort/Daphne area I think it is much nicer than Pensacola. I like newness and they offer it in Baldwin County. Have you met many New Englanders there?

The economy up here is not good and taxes are so high so it is hard to survive. I eventually want to retire in Florida anyway because of the weather. I can't imagine staying up here when I am old and dealing w/the cold and snow. The kids are not looking forward to leaving but I hope they do well. Where are going next?